David Frizzell, born 85 years ago in El Dorado, Arkansas, began performing with his older brother, honky-tonk legend Lefty Frizzell, but established a successful country career in his own right. His breakthrough came with Shelly West on “You’re the Reason God Made Oklahoma”, followed by his sole solo number-one hit, “I’m Gonna Hire a Wino to Decorate Our Home”.

Frizzell began performing on radio at nine, toured with Lefty, served in the U.S. Air Force and later signed with Columbia Records. His 1981 duet topped the country chart, won two Country Music Association awards and earned a Grammy nomination, while further collaborations with West and several 1980s hits cemented his reputation; he later founded Nashville America Records.